Complete genome sequence and phylogenetic position of the Bacillus cereus group phage JBP901

Significance of bacteriophages in fermented soybeans: A review

Bacteriophages are ubiquitous and have been reported to have been found in many food products. Their presence is important as they have the ability to interact with their bacterial host in food matrices. Fermented soybean products, one of the most widely consumed ethnic foods among Asian people, are prepared naturally and include Japanese Natto, Indian Kinema, Korean Chongkukjang and Thai Thua Nao. This review highlights bacteriophages which have been isolated from fermented soybean products and also includes an overview of their diversity, occurrence as well as their significance.

Isolation and Characterization of a Bacteriophage Preying an Antifungal Bacterium

Several Bacillus species were isolated from rice field soils, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that Bacillus cereus was the most abundant. A strain named BC1 showed antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani. Bacteriophages infecting strain BC1 were isolated from the same soil sample. The isolated phage PK16 had an icosahedral head of 100 ± 5 nm and tail of 200 ± 5 nm, indicating that it belonged to the family Myoviridae. Analysis of the complete linear dsDNA genome revealed a 158,127-bp genome with G + C content of 39.9% comprising 235 open reading frames as well as 19 tRNA genes (including 1 pseudogene). Blastp analysis showed that the proteins encoded by the PK16 genome had the closest hits to proteins of seven different bacteriophages. A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree based on the major capsid protein showed a robust clustering of phage PK16 with phage JBP901 and BCP8-2 isolated from Korean fermented food.

Complete Genome Sequence of Bacteriophage Deep-Blue Infecting Emetic Bacillus cereus

The Bacillus cereus emetic pathotype is responsible for important food-borne intoxications. Here, we describe the complete genome sequence of bacteriophage Deep-Blue, which is able to infect emetic strains of B. cereus Deep-Blue is a 159-kb myophage of the Bastille-like group within the Spounavirinae.